Courtney E. Rydel

Courtney E. Rydel serves as English Department Chair and Associate Professor at Washington College while directing the Sophie Kerr Endowment. Her scholarly identity centers on medieval English literature, with specialization in Chaucer, hagiography, and gender studies within religious texts.

Her academic foundation includes a B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from The College of New Jersey (2006) with minors in Creative Writing and Classics, followed by M.A. (2008) and Ph.D. (2012) degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. At Penn, she earned certificates in pedagogy and Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies.

Dr. Rydel's research interrogates medieval conceptions of gender through texts like the Golden Legend and Chaucer's Parliament of Fowls. Her groundbreaking interdisciplinary collaboration with biologist Jennie Carr reveals surprising accuracy in Chaucer's ornithological observations compared to contemporary scientific sources. She actively explores translation theory in medieval contexts and contributes to digital humanities through projects like her National Geographic Channel documentary appearance on saints' lives, which reached 38 countries worldwide.

Analysis of her publications shows consistent engagement with reception history and gendered authorship, particularly regarding women's roles in medieval religious writing. Her work bridges literary analysis with scientific inquiry, as evidenced by collaborative research on medieval birds, and demonstrates sustained focus on textual transmission from manuscripts to digital platforms.

No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials.

As an educator, Dr. Rydel mentors students through structured office hours and Calendly appointments, teaching courses from first-year seminars like “Here Be Monsters” to advanced topics in Anglo-Saxon literature. Her professional service includes leadership in the English Department and direction of the Sophie Kerr Endowment. She maintains active membership in the Medieval Academy of America, Society for Medieval Feminist Scholarship, and other disciplinary organizations, reflecting deep commitment to collaborative scholarship.

Her primary research collective involves biologist Jennie Carr in the “Medieval Birds” project, which has produced joint presentations and gallery exhibits. This interdisciplinary team exemplifies her approach to transcending traditional academic boundaries, while her documentary work demonstrates significant public scholarship impact across 38 nations.